Electron Linac SPRUT to Study Radiation Hardness

Determining the threshold values in case of multiple bit upsets based on impinging particles flux density is an urgent problem for radiation-hardened electronics designers. To deal with such class of problems, a special three-beam pulsed electron linac called SPRUT was developed. The linac is used to generate an electron beam with electron energy of 5–7 MeV, current of approx. 1 A, pulse width of 1–12 μs, and repetition rate up to 1 Hz. Total electron beam, not less than 20 mm in diameter, with high electron flux density is generated behind the exit foil. Configuration and position of the combined beams can be adjusted to ensure the irradiation area non-uniformity not worse than 30%. The paper describes the SPRUT linac design and operating principle, as well as the methods used to measure its characteristics and the results obtained thereby, it helps studying the possibilities to generate the radiation field with certain characteristics.